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Tag: faith

But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Job 23:10 (KJV)

The katana is the primary sword of the samurai warrior. A real katana can slice through almost anything, with frightening ease. The katana, in the hands of master swordsmen, defended Japan for centuries.

Creating one of these beautiful yet deadly weapons is a complex, difficult business. At the center of the process is forging the sword. At the heart of forging, is folding.

Anywhere from 8 to 16 times, the steel is heated in a furnace, then folded on the anvil. That’s a lot of time in the fire. That’s a significant number of hammer strokes.

Folding purifies mediocre ore, making extraordinary steel. In addition the process builds in hardness for the cutting edge, or springy resilience for the back-body of the sword. The expert eye of the craftsman guides the entire process.

Perhaps you have been in the furnace, or on the anvil, in your life. The trials and tribulation you have faced have one purpose: To make you a weapon of choice for the Master.

He is building in the edge you need to speak truth, in love. He is giving you the resilience to weather hardship and trials, for His purposes. When you come out of the fire, you will be an extraordinary material. When you come off the anvil, you will be suitable for an exceptional purpose.

Think: God is remaking me as His servant (weapon) of choice

Pray: “Father-God, develop me in Your will and way, for Your Kingdom.”

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

Genesis 12:1 KJV

“Pack up. Move out. I’ll mail you directions.”

Abram’s obedience was an act of faith. Leaving home, hearth, kith and kin, for whereabouts to be determined, has no other rational explanation. At God’s command, Abram started flying on instruments.

Aircraft have long had the ability to fly on instruments. On instruments, a pilot doesn’t need to see out of the cockpit at all. The pilot trusts the instruments, and the instruments get the pilot (safely) to the destination.

The things God asks of us are sometimes too big for us. The ending is too far for us to see. Worse, we can see the goal, but the path to the goal seems impossible to us. The God of creation asks you and I to trust Him.

He sees farther and deeper than we can. His knowledge exceeds the total of all humanity. His power exceeds anything and everything.

God faithfully led Abram to Canaan, and established him as a father of nations. You can put your faith in God, just as Abram did. Your faith and obedience will land you safely in His purpose for your life.

And he said to the king of Israel, Put thine hand upon the bow. And he put his hand upon it: and Elisha put his hands upon the king’s hands. And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the LORD’S deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them.

2 Kings 13:17 KJV

Symbols carry power. They communicate in vivid images and clear simplicity the most difficult of ideas. They help us to have or hold faith. Shooting an arrow out of a preacher’s window? Pure symbolism.

Joash (aka Jehoash) faced a powerful foreign power, with a weak, depleted military in Judah. Elisha, aged and sick, struggled to encourage the king to have faith in God’s power. The king didn’t completely grasp the things of God, but he understood war bows.

In order to teach someone to shoot a bow and arrow, it is inevitable that the teacher will put hands on the student’s hands, not the bow. Joash understood the significance of Elisha’s hands on his. The king’s arrow represented new and fresh empowerment from God against the Syrian army.

Joash’s arrow represents the symbols that God has (already) set in your life. Symbols strengthen your faith. Symbols point you, in vivid images and clear simplicity, to the deep things of God.

When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

Matthew 8:13 KJV

The Centurion did not just come from the wrong side of the tracks. He came from the wrong side of the planet. He was no Peace Corps volunteer, but an officer of a hated, occupying army.

A stranger in a strange land, the Centurion did not have any claim or right to ask anything of Jesus. Still, helmet under his arm, he asked in complete confidence. The Centurion was the wrong kind of man, but he had the right kind of faith.

The Centurion walked away from Jesus with nothing but His Word. In the Centurion’s mind that is all it took. As a soldier, he understood power and authority. He saw both in Jesus.

Maybe you are the wrong kind of man or woman. What matters is your faith. You can ask in complete confidence, anyway.

Jesus’ Word is true and faithful. What he promised, He will do. All you need, here, there or then is the right kind of faith.

Think:All I have to do is ask in faith.

Pray:“Lord, Help me to have faith in You, regardless of where, or who, I am.”

And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.

2 Samuel 23:16-17 KJV

Despite escaping King Saul again, David needed encouragement. The constant pressure and tension of a fugitive’s life exacts a heavy toll. Even on a courageous and valiant man like David.

Into this dark and desperate circumstance, Prince Jonathan brought joy and comfort to his friend’s heart and spirit. How? With a memo.

Not a literal piece of paper or parchment, but a memorandum, none the less. Jonathan repeated a short message, declaring David’s safety and coming coronation as king of Israel. A communication, initialed not by some earthly man, but by Jehovah-Jireh.

Jonathan left his friend by himself, but not alone. Saul’s death warrant could not penetrate God’s sanctuary. Despite danger and peril, David rested in the calm and safety of God’s love.

Scripture is full of God’s promises to you. The Bible records God’s ongoing love, care and protection for you. God’s little memos are full of big promises to you.

Don’t let recent circumstances block your faith. No matter how pressed or pressured today is, God has promised you a tomorrow full of joy, safety and success. Go read the memos.

And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.

Genesis 41:51 KJV

The birth of a son is normally cause for celebration and joy. Like any first-time father, I’m certain Joseph whooped with joy and pride. Still, the memories of the last 13 years brought some gravity to Joseph’s heart and mind.

“God has caused me to forget.” First, betrayal by his brothers. Then, years of slavery. Finally, false accusation and years of unjust imprisonment. In the glow of his back-pay, Joseph forgot about the prior years.

Perhaps you have been laboring long, hard and without just wages. God has been watching over you the entire time. Recording the hours. Banking your pay.

To others, it will seem you are an over-night sensation. It doesn’t matter how it looks to them. You know that God is simply delivering your back pay.

Just when they thought you were dead, God will deliver your best life yet. Even though you thought you were forgotten and cast aside, God will set you out front and in charge. No one delivers back-pay like God.

Stay faithful. Work to build His Kingdom. Trust that God has your back-pay. At the right time, in the correct place, God will make you forget all that happened before. In joy. With delight. Through blessing.

And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.

Genesis 41:45 KJV

There is a saying, “God does not always call the equipped, but He always equips the called.” To fulfill his purpose in God’s plan, Joseph needed to look, sound and live like a high-born Egyptian. Against expectation, Joseph’s years as a slave, then a convict, equipped him to serve as Pharaoh’s Chief Executive.

Perhaps you feel you have been denied the good things of life. Maybe you feel that the positive outcomes have been kept from you. God has a royal blessing in store for you.

Probably not a literal royal bride (or groom) but an excellent place in purpose. With an extraordinary space for blessing. God will inflict His best on you, as if from ambush.

His blessing will catch up to you. No matter where, or how far, you have traveled. The right time and place is where God says it is.

As prince Joseph entered his palace, God arranged for everything. Even a princess. As you enter your purpose in God’s Kingdom, God will arrange for everything.

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.

Genesis 41:39-40 KJV

(Read also Genesis 40:20 through 41:44)

Joseph, despite years in prison, spoke revelation and wisdom. He explained Pharaoh’s dream. He suggested a course of actions. Then he waited.

Maybe Joseph hoped for a pardon. It’s possible he thought he might get a new job as a slave-steward to the new Grain Administrator. Of course, you and I know Joseph had been set-up.

The forgotten man became a foremost minister. He traded his (orange) prison garb for royal robes. The prisoner became a prince in a single hour.

Only God can so suddenly change prisoners into princes. Only the King of the universe can so completely and rapidly reverse the situation of a man. Only God knows the set up he has in store for you.

You thought your unseen hours and unrewarded labors were for nothing? You thought you had been thrown away and forgotten? God has made plans concerning you and His angels are working that plan with care and precision.

You have been set up. All that remains is the pay off. What God promises, God delivers. With interest.

But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.

Matthew 9:25 KJV

Most of Jesus’ miracles were committed in public. The miracles served as His credentials that His Word came from God. Certainly, excluding witnesses was unusual.

Whether with gracious ushering, or with gruff insistence, the “mourners” found themselves outside. The other Gospel accounts (Mark 5:22-42 and Luke 8:41-56) emphasize the limited audience for Jesus’ raising of the girl. The miracle became famous, after the fact.

Scorn and disbelief are the enemies of Real Faith™. Faith are the acts you commit, in anticipation of what you do not see. Faith and disbelief cannot coexist in harmony.

Jesus’ told Jairus, multiple times, to believe. He did not rebuke his fear and grief. Faith is not the absence of hurt or concern, but is the presence of hope in God.

You can cling to faith, despite your circumstances. It is easy to understand a grieving father’s fears and doubts. I doubt your situation is easy or without issue. Regardless, you must put out your disbelief before your faith can work.

There’s a famous miracle in your future. If you’re willing to put out your disbelief. There’s the door of your heart. Who’s leaving?

Think: Disbelief and faith cannot coexist in your heart. One of them must leave.

Pray: “Lord, help my belief and faith in what You will do in my life.”

And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

Matthew 9:23-24 KJV

Please read Luke 8: 49-53

Admittedly, they were professional mourners. These folks were paid to loudly “grieve” and play sorrowful music. The call for them to come came after a signature on the death certificate.

Still, they must have known of Jesus. Clearly, they understood what He said. Their response indicates they thought it through, rationally.

Scorn is more than disbelief. Scorn is active rejection. Scorn and contempt usually arrive, handcuffed together.

How do you respond to Jesus’ announcements and pronouncements for you and yours? Do you respond with faith and belief? Too often, we respond with scorn.

Our professionalism looks at the facts and figures and comes to the logical conclusion(s). Regular thinking can not see the things of God. You will probably react with scorn to Jesus’ impossible statements regarding your life.

Put your professionalism to the side. Check your regular thinking at the door. Respond with faith and trust to Jesus’ promises for you and yours.

True Faith™ is not mindless, but it is at odds with regular thinking. Choose to see with spiritual eyes. Decide to believe what Jesus says, despite the facts and data.

Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

Isaiah 31:1 KJV

Isaiah could only shake his head in distress and dismay. Judah had formed a military and political alliance with Egypt. They expected that Egypt’s appearent wealth and visible military power would be a help to them.

Assyria swept through Israel and Judah like fire through dry grass. Egypt’s help and assistance against the invading horde are conspicuously absent from Scripture. In the end, Hezekiah and Judah were forced to rely on God alone.

Who (or what) do you rely on? Is it a mighty looking earthly resource? A powerful man or woman?

Seek God. Rely on Him alone. Hezekiah, trapped inside Jerusalem by the invading Assyrians, learned to trust God. Unfortunately, he took the fast, crash course.

Don’t give into human perception or common wisdom. Relying on something means you have put faith in it. Who is more worthy of faith than God.

You have a choice. Seek the all-powerful. Rely on His power and sovereign authority. Put your faith in God.

Think: My sole reliance should always be on God, not any early power or resource.